Slade911

I was driving about 5 miles this morning, I thought I heard a change in AC and air blowing got warmer. Notification to check or maintenance AC came on navigation screen. I was watching the gauges and the engine temp started climbing. I drove half a mile and parked it before it red lined. Engine was starting to hiss and I lost a little fluid but I didn’t allow it to get too hot. I assumed I had lost a belt or water pump but the belt looked in tact. The AC and overheating have to point to a specific failure. Any help appreciated before I decide where To tow it.

Mesquite77

One of the components or pulleys on the drive belt (serpentine belt) must be locking up, which will stop the belt. The belt drives the water pump and the A/C compressor among other things, so, first step is to remove the belt and spin all the pulleys. Order a new belt while you are doing this, cause that one is cooked and will slip and squeal from now on.

#1 suspects are water pump and A/C compressor, neither good news, but expected at this age, gl!

spinellib

Sounds like one or both of your FANS are not working.

You have two fans in front of your radiator. Start the car, turn on A/C and see if they work.

If you're fans aren't working, check out this thread for further information.

Margate330

Hi Slade911, Welcome to Club Lexus, glad you are here!

Sorry to hear about your car and already good posts and ideas since it could be several things causing your problem.
Unless you are strong in DIY repairs, I recommend towing it to a shop as you suggested because it is easy to overheat our engines due to a trapped air pocket.
It's not worth blowing a head gasket IMHO by trying to top off the coolant and limping to repair shop unless you know what you're doing on this engine.

Slade911

I just checked the fans and both are working properly, or at least seem to be.

spinellib

Well, if your radiator is filled with coolant and your fans are working...
next on the list is a stuck-closed thermostat or some issue with the Coolant Temperature Sensor.

btw, I suppose it's possible for the water pump pulley to still be spinning freely but the impeller to be broken, thus not circulating coolant.

Felix

To add, If your replacing the w/p, do the t-stat as well, since your there....Flush the old coolant out as well....BTW does your vehicle have the oem rubber ol cooler hoses? If so get them replaced w/ the steel lines, Dorman.com offers them as well as Toyota.

Slade911

Mechanic says it was definitely the water pump. I am also having him replace the thermostat. He’s installing today I will update the post after I hear from him. Thanks to all for the information this was very helpful.

Slade911

A local mechanic just finished the job and only charged me 200 in labor. I bought all parts online. I’m thinking he’s getting a pretty good tip from what I’ve read about costs

Margate330

So it was the water pump, thank you for following up- it's nice when members post update when people try to help.

You probably dumped all the coolant and overheated as that's what happens when the bearings go out and coolant leaks out the weep hole.
So lucky you didn't overheat and pop a head gasket, and more.

You got a good price, that's for sure!